On the evening of Friday, May 2nd, two campers in the rugged Sangre de Cristo Range near Deadman Lakes found themselves in a dire situation. What was meant to be a multi-day backcountry trip turned into an urgent rescue after a combination of injury and acute mountain sickness forced them to activate the SOS feature on their Garmin inReach device.
Thanks to quick coordination and heroic efforts, both individuals were safely rescued the following morning—highlighting the essential role of volunteer search and rescue (SAR) teams across Colorado.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
AVSAR and SAGSAR Step Up
Alameda Volunteer Search and Rescue (AVSAR) responded in support of Saguache County Search and Rescue (SAGSAR), deploying teams into action as night fell. With temperatures dropping, the distressed campers managed to shelter in place and start a fire, buying critical time while rescue operations were organized.
As ground teams began the strenuous overnight trek into the high-alpine terrain, air crews were brought into the mission planning. REACH71 and Guardian1 medical helicopters from GMR in Alamosa conducted flyovers to verify the campers’ location and assess potential landing zones. Meanwhile, BACA EMS dispatched a ground ambulance to Incident Command (IC) in anticipation of a medical evacuation.
A Race Against Time
By early morning on Saturday, May 3rd, the situation became more urgent. The campers’ condition had worsened overnight, prompting the activation of the Colorado Army National Guard (COArNG) for an emergency hoist operation. Talon36, a HAATS UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter equipped with rescue technicians, was deployed for the mission.
At 9:35 a.m., both subjects were safely hoisted from the remote location and flown directly to the IC site, where medical crews awaited. They were then transported to San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center for treatment. The mission was officially concluded just after 10:40 a.m., with all rescuers and personnel accounted for and safe.
A Unified Response
This successful rescue was the result of outstanding coordination between multiple agencies, including:
Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office
Saguache County Sheriff’s Office
REACH Air Medical Services
BACA Fire/EMS
Eagle Air Med
Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR)
Colorado National Guard
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Their teamwork exemplifies the strength and dedication of Colorado’s SAR community—most of whom are volunteers.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Stay Safe: Tips for Mountain Travel
This incident is a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of high-altitude adventures. Before heading into the backcountry, be sure to:
Know the signs of altitude sickness and allow time to acclimate.
Carry a communication device like a Garmin inReach or satellite phone.
Pack essential gear including a map, compass, extra layers, and emergency shelter.
Share your itinerary with someone back home.
Always be prepared to turn back if conditions change or if you start to feel unwell.
Support SAR Teams: Buy a COSAR Card
Colorado’s search and rescue teams don’t charge for rescue—but they do rely on community support. Purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (COSAR) card helps fund training, equipment, and operations. It’s one of the best ways you can support these life-saving volunteers.
👉 Buy your COSAR card here and help keep Colorado’s SAR network strong.
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